Seattle council warchests blossomed in April

Candidates have collected nearly $700,000 for the five seats up for election on the nine-member council. That includes three incumbents who are thus far running unopposed, one incumbent facing a challenger and a three-way contest for an open seat.

Candidates have until June 8 to file with officials if they want to appear on the August primary ballot.

Not surprisingly, the hottest race remains the contest for the open seat being vacated by Peter Steinbrueck. Three candidates for that seat have raised almost $130,000. (They are Bruce Harrell with $72,000, Venus Velazquez with $56,000 and Jim Nobles with $400.)